A&M Alcos

An Alco Railroad in the Ozarks A&M (ex-Guilford) 420 leads the northbound FSTN (Fort Smith Turn) south of Winslow, AR on 8 April 1988. (Ken Albrecht photo)
In September 1986, the Arkansa & Missouri short-line was born, and before too long it became a reliable freight partner with area shippers, as well as a popular destination for tourists and railfans. The 150-mile south central U.S. railroad was started by an investor group dedicated to restoring first-class freight and passenger service to the region. The Arkansas-based enterprise got its start by acquiring a stretch of track originally built by the San Fransisco-St.Louis railroad (Frisco), which had merged in 1980 with the Burlington Northern. The A&M, during its first quarter-century, relied heavily on the durability and power of an aging all-Alco locomotive roster. Most of the veteran Alcos are no longer in revenue freight service unless otherwise needed. But, the 251-engined Alcos (and two RS1s with Alco 539 engines) can often be found on the point of A&M excursion trains or handling yard duties. Thanks to the photographic efforts of Ken Albrecht and others, the railroad's eclectic fleet of Alcos are chronicled here. (Introduction by Michael Richmond)

An Alco Railroad in the Ozarks

Somebody's Large Digital Image Here

A&M (ex-Guilford) 420 leads the northbound FSTN (Fort Smith Turn) south of Winslow, AR on 8 April 1988. (Ken Albrecht photo)

In September 1986, the Arkansa & Missouri short-line was born, and before too long it became a reliable freight partner with area shippers, as well as a popular destination for tourists and railfans. The 150-mile south central U.S. railroad was started by an investor group dedicated to restoring first-class freight and passenger service to the region. The Arkansas-based enterprise got its start by acquiring a stretch of track originally built by the San Fransisco-St.Louis railroad (Frisco), which had merged in 1980 with the Burlington Northern.

The A&M, during its first quarter-century, relied heavily on the durability and power of an aging all-Alco locomotive roster. Most of the veteran Alcos are no longer in revenue freight service unless otherwise needed. But, the 251-engined Alcos (and two RS1s with Alco 539 engines) can often be found on the point of A&M excursion trains or handling yard duties.

Thanks to the photographic efforts of Ken Albrecht and others, the railroad's eclectic fleet of Alcos are chronicled here.

(Introduction by Michael Richmond)

* * * Photo Gallery by Ken Albrecht (unless otherwisw noted) * * *


RS1 #22 A&M #20 and 22 at Springdale, Arkansas on 15 February 1990.	#RS1 22 in Action RS1 #22 with passenger excursion at Van Buren, Arkansas in Fall 1991.
RS32 #42 A&M #42 at Springdale, Arkansas on 9 June 1987.	RS32 #42 in Action A&M #42 readies to leave Fort Smith with northbound FSTN on 11-18-87.
C420 #1324 A&M #1324 (ex-SCL/L&N) at Springdale, Arkansas on 7 August 1987.	C420 #416 in Action A&M #416 with s/b Fort Smith Turn at Van Buren, AR on 11-19-1987.
C420 #50 A&M #50 (ex-Essex Terminal 106) at Springdale, Arkansas on 10-16-1989.	C420 #54 in Action A&M #54 with MTTN (Monett Turn) at Rogers, AR on 13 May 1989.
M420W #74 A&M #74 (ex-CN 2567 / 3567) at Springdale, Arkansas in July 2014. (J.L. Hickey photo)	M420W in Action A&M 3554 with train at Monett, AR on 6 August 2007. (Bob Courtney photo)
C424 #01 A&M #01 (ex-BRC #601) at Springdale on 10-16-1989. (John Shumann photo)	C424 #34 in Action A&M #34 works Springdale yard on 11 Feb. 2015. (Zach Pumphrey photo)
C630M #630 A&M #70 at Springdale, Arkansas (Jerry Coffey photo).	#630M in Action WNY&P #630 (ex-A&M) at Port Allegheny, PA. (Joseph Cermak photo)
T6 #14 A&M #14 at Springdale, Arkansas on 6 July 1987.	T6s #12 & 14 Ready for Action A&M #12 powers the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Dinner at West Fork on 1 April 1989.
New: 1 August 2021	Formatted by: R. Craig

RS1 #22